Even though several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) heavyweights do not think the internal debate on policies and China is necessary, the DPP will carry on with the five-topic debate in late March, with the conclusions being announced on either March 25 or 26.
A party policy research and coordinating committee member Chao Yung-ching (趙永清), who is in charge of the debate details, said yesterday that the five topics for the debate will be -- the China problem, Taiwan's national situation, cross-strait relations, constitutional reforms and the three links.
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) asked DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun to hold the debates after several DPP legislators disagreed with Chen's tightening of the government's trade and economics policies with regard to China. The DPP has been pushing for the debate since Yu took up the chairmanship on Jan. 27.
The DPP discussed the debate issue during its central standing committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
During the meeting Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) and former Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) voiced opposition to the debate on China policy and argued that it was needless.
Lu said that the party already has a clear stance on cross-strait affairs and she was worried that any conclusions may conflict with a national report that is scheduled to be released soon.
"I think there are a lot of facets important to the country's development and it may not be necessary to focus just on cross-strait affairs. I think we could hold forums instead of debates," Lu said.
Hsieh also pointed out that the president's New Year address seemed to contradict a resolution passed by the DPP in 2001 backing the "active opening, effective management" policy. Hsieh suggested revising that resolution and that the debate be skipped.
Examination President Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文) also said yesterday that it was unnecessary for the party to get involved in cross-strait policies and if it insisted on holding the debates, the DPP should cooperate with the appropriate governmental departments.
Although Lu, Hsieh and Yao do not think the debate is necessary, most DPP members support it. The DPP has therefore decided to hold the event in late March.
Chao said that the party will invite scholars and experts from related fields, and each party faction will nominate a representative to attend on its behalf.
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